What does 5/10 really mean?

[Apocalypse Tank]

5/10 = 1/2
Class dismissed and uh... pick your test results on your way out.

 

[Jharry5]

Isn't the range of answers here proof that an opinion can't be represented numerically?

 

[Spacelord]

I assert that the whole numerical rating system just boils down to a rationalisation of a preference. Giving a decimal value to something that can't actually be measured seems pretty moot to me. As a matter of fact, the only question we as consumers want to know and the critics want to convey is: is this recommended? Which might as well just be answered with a Yes or No. This seems like a much more accurate tool to me.

 

[klakkat]

It's preference regardless. I've avoided a lot of games reviewers gave 10/10 to because I personally had no interest in the game. 5/10 can occasionally be decent, but extremely unlikely; odds are that gameplay issues will turn you away from it no matter your tastes. 6 and up are usually what you look for, but I'd never pay full price for something that fell into the 6-8 category, unless it was something I knew would be poorly received but met my tastes. I can't remember if that's actually happened yet...

 

[Yokai]

I see the 10-point scale as something akin to a schoolwork grading system. By those standards, a 7/10, or 70%, would be considered the "average," and a 5/10 would be a rather embarrassing F.

Absolutely. Now, I'm not sure if games should really be rated this way, but people would rather play an excellent game than one that was just sort of "eh". So I suppose it makes sense.

 

[Xyzgon]

I was not aware that 5/10 ever meant mediocre. For example in school a 5/10 is an F. I've never seen a rating scale that had it like that. Although i could be wrong of course just putting out my two cents.

 

[BallPtPenTheif]

I usually just read the review.

I don't need the short hand of an arbitrary number systems or bumper sticker style bullet points with huge stars next to them.

Death to review scores.

 

[Halo Fanboy]

I assert that the whole numerical rating system just boils down to a rationalisation of a preference. Giving a decimal value to something that can't actually be measured seems pretty moot to me. As a matter of fact, the only question we as consumers want to know and the critics want to convey is: is this recommended? Which might as well just be answered with a Yes or No. This seems like a much more accurate tool to me.

While this is true, you also have to remember that it's important to compare how a game stacks up with other games in the genre. Hence the number system.

Unfortunatly most of the time this becomes an opportunity for fanboys to compare E-peens.

 

[Onyx Oblivion]

I don't believe in numbers for game ratings anymore...its all about if the game is fun or not.

 

[axia777]

on a 1 to 10 scale like Gamespot, 5/10 means "I wouldn't play it if someone gave it to me for free and I was in a prison cell with nothing else to do."

I want that on a bumper sticker man!!! ROFL! RUTHLESS!

I was not aware that 5/10 ever meant mediocre. For example in school a 5/10 is an F. I've never seen a rating scale that had it like that. Although i could be wrong of course just putting out my two cents.

That is what I said. 5/10 is a FAIL.

 

[SunoffaBeach]

Anyway, mediocre games are necessary.
How else would you be able to truly appreciate the few good ones?

 

[PersianLlama]

When I review a game:
1-4 = sub par
5 = mediocre
10 = nonexistent

The only reviews I actually listen to are Yahtzee's.

 

[Dogeman5]

I usually will pick a game based on reviews the score is arbitrary, however sometimes I rent shitty games jusst for kicks
-none can beat Somari...

 

[Kermi]

In reality, with 1/10 being unplayable and 10/10 being 'perfect'l, a 5/10 should mean average. But what it means in today's review culture is "fucking awful", with anything lower than that only being applied retroactively to games that are even worse and the 1 only going to games which only qualify because at some point they were released on a disc or cartridge (ET, Big Rigs 2). Even a 6 is considered unworthy, and you should only start playing games at a 7 and up.

So lots of merely 'good' games get 7's and you're forced to slot anything good in above that. It's getting to the point where if your favourite game doesn't get at least 9.5, then the reviewer was obviously paid off by the competition to make your preference look bad!

I no longer trust **/10 review scores. I might accept a grading because giving a game a C- or an A+ seems to be a more fair assessment of standalone quality instead of a comparitive, competitive score.
But even more so, I'd prefer a review be factual and informative, and let me make up my own mind about whether to play it. Kotaku does this well, merely listing what the reviewer liked or disliked, and why.

 

[[Gavo]]

Anything under 8 is not worth buying.
The 10-point scale is to tell people how much a game sucks ass if it's under 7.

 

[mr mcshiznit]

My question is what the hell is the diff. between a 3.75 and a 3.25? I mean really? so dumb.